Soccer is a sport where numbers tell the story of greatness. Over the years, some players have dominated the game in different aspects, from scoring goals to making assists, dribbling past defenders, and winning major trophies. Among them, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stand out as two of the most decorated and accomplished players in history. However, other legends such as Johan Cruyff, Ferenc Puskás, and Dani Alves have also left an unforgettable mark on the sport. Below is a breakdown of the most outstanding players based on key football statistics and achievements.
Most Goals in Football History
Scoring goals is the most important aspect of football, and some players have set records that may never be broken.
Cristiano Ronaldo (924 goals) – The Portuguese superstar is the highest goal scorer in football history. His ability to score in every way possible—powerful shots, headers, free kicks, and penalties—makes him one of the most complete forwards ever. Ronaldo has scored over 800 goals for club and country, playing for teams like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr. He has also won multiple top scorer awards in different leagues and international tournaments.
Lionel Messi (851 goals) – The Argentine magician is not far behind. Unlike Ronaldo, Messi is known for his dribbling skills, close control, and clinical finishing. He has spent most of his career at FC Barcelona, scoring hundreds of goals in La Liga before moving to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and later Inter Miami. Messi holds the record for most goals in a calendar year (91 in 2012) and has been a consistent goal-scorer throughout his career.
Josef Bican (805 goals) – The Austrian-Czech striker played in the 1930s and 1940s, scoring over 800 goals in official matches. He was one of the fastest players of his era and dominated the scoring charts, though many of his records are not widely recognized due to incomplete historical data.
Most Assists in Football History
Creating goals is just as important as scoring them, and some players have mastered the art of assisting their teammates.
Lionel Messi (379 assists) – Messi is not only a great goal scorer but also a world-class playmaker. His vision, passing accuracy, and intelligence allow him to create goal-scoring chances for his teammates. Whether it’s a through ball, a cross, or a quick one-two, Messi has assisted countless goals throughout his career.
Ferenc Puskás (359 assists) – The Hungarian legend was famous for his incredible left foot and goal-scoring ability, but he was also a great passer. Playing for Real Madrid and Hungary’s Golden Team, Puskás helped his teammates score as much as he did.
Johan Cruyff (358 assists) – The Dutch maestro revolutionized football with his intelligence and technical ability. Cruyff was a key player for Ajax and Barcelona, playing as both a scorer and a playmaker, making him one of the most influential footballers of all time.
Dribbling past defenders is an art, and only a few players have mastered it at an elite level.
Lionel Messi (3,845 dribbles) – Messi is widely regarded as the best dribbler of all time. His low center of gravity, quick footwork, and ability to change direction instantly make him almost impossible to stop. Throughout his career, he has embarrassed defenders with his dribbling skills.
Eden Hazard (1,285 dribbles) – The Belgian winger was one of the best dribblers of his generation. During his time at Chelsea, Hazard was known for his solo runs and ability to take on multiple defenders.
Franck Ribéry (1,061 dribbles) – The French winger was a key player for Bayern Munich, using his speed and dribbling skills to break through defenses. Ribéry’s ability to beat opponents and create chances made him one of the most dangerous wingers in football.
Most Ballon d’Or Wins
The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award in football, given to the best player in the world each year.
Lionel Messi (8 Ballon d’Ors) – No player has won more Ballon d’Ors than Messi. He won his first in 2009 and continued to dominate world football, winning the award in different eras, including his latest in 2023 after leading Argentina to World Cup glory.
Cristiano Ronaldo (5 Ballon d’Ors) – Ronaldo has always been Messi’s biggest rival, winning five Ballon d’Ors for his performances with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. His work ethic and consistency have made him one of the greatest players in history.
Johan Cruyff (3 Ballon d’Ors) – The Dutch legend won the award three times in the 1970s, leading Ajax and Barcelona with his incredible skills and tactical intelligence.
Most FIFA The Best Awards
This award recognizes the best player in the world each year, as voted by coaches, players, and fans.
Lionel Messi (8 wins) – Messi has dominated the FIFA The Best awards, winning the latest one in 2023 after his World Cup heroics.
Cristiano Ronaldo (5 wins) – Ronaldo has won five FIFA The Best awards, thanks to his consistency and performances at the highest level.
Zinedine Zidane (3 wins) – Zidane was one of the best midfielders of all time and won this award three times, proving his greatness on the biggest stage.
Winning trophies is the ultimate goal in football, and some players have won more than anyone else.
Lionel Messi (46 trophies) – Messi is the most decorated footballer in history. His collection includes multiple league titles, Champions Leagues, Copa del Reys, and the long-awaited FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Dani Alves (43 trophies) – The Brazilian full-back was one of the best defenders of his generation, winning trophies with Barcelona, PSG, and Brazil.
Andrés Iniesta (37 trophies) – The Spanish midfielder was a key player in Barcelona and Spain’s golden era, winning multiple La Liga and Champions League titles, as well as the 2010 World Cup.
Most Individual Awards Won
Apart from team success, footballers also aim to win individual awards to cement their legacy.
Lionel Messi (54 individual awards) – No player has received more individual recognition than Messi. He has won the Ballon d’Or, FIFA The Best, Golden Shoe, and many other honors throughout his career.
Cristiano Ronaldo (43 individual awards) – Ronaldo has also won several individual awards, proving his greatness in different leagues and competitions.
Marco van Basten (20 individual awards) – The Dutch striker was one of the best players of his generation, winning multiple Ballon d’Ors and other personal accolades.
Football has seen many great players, but Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have set records that may never be matched. Their dominance in scoring, playmaking, dribbling, and winning trophies has put them at the top of the sport. However, legends like Johan Cruyff, Puskás, Zidane, and Dani Alves have also played a major role in shaping football history. As new players emerge, these records may eventually be broken, but for now, Messi and Ronaldo remain the kings of football statistics.
